Exploration and Colonization
A. After the collapse in the eastern hemisphere and China and western Europe sought to reactivate the networks of trade and communication that had been disrupted.
B. The Chinese Reconnaissance of the Indian Ocean Basin
1. Early Ming emperors allowed foreign merchants to trade in supervised ports as well as allowing Chinese merchants to trade over seas in Japan and Southeast Asia.
2. Emperor Yongle of the Ming dynasty organized expeditions to establish Chinese presence in Indian Ocean basin and to impose imperial control over foreign trade.
3. Zheng He, a Muslim from southwestern China, led the expeditions that took place between1405 and 1433. The ships that accompanied him on the voyages were by far the largest the world had ever seen.
4. Throughout Zheng He’s expeditions he liberally dispensed gifts of Chinese silk, porcelain and other goods in return he received unusual presents such as zebras and giraffes.
5. Zheng He had little need to engage in hostilities, because people would do what he wanted because of the size of his army, but he would ruthlessly suppress pirates who long plagued Chinese and southeast Asian waters.
6. Mid 1430’s Ming emperors ended the expeditions because the costs would go to better use in agriculture. BUT in 1420’s the Mongols mounted new military, which threatened from the northwest.
7. 1433, after Zheng He’s seventh voyage, expeditions ended and they gave up any plans to maintain presence in the Indian Ocean.
Exploration and Chinese Reconnaissance (585-586)
Exploration and Colonization
A. After the collapse in the eastern hemisphere and China and western Europe sought to reactivate the networks of trade and communication that had been disrupted.
B. The Chinese Reconnaissance of the Indian Ocean Basin
1. Early Ming emperors allowed foreign merchants to trade in supervised ports as well as allowing Chinese merchants to trade over seas in Japan and Southeast Asia.
2. Emperor Yongle of the Ming dynasty organized expeditions to establish Chinese presence in Indian Ocean basin and to impose imperial control over foreign trade.3. Zheng He, a Muslim from southwestern China, led the expeditions that took place between1405 and 1433. The ships that accompanied him on the voyages were by far the largest the world had ever seen.
4. Throughout Zheng He’s expeditions he liberally dispensed gifts of Chinese silk, porcelain and other goods in return he received unusual presents such as zebras and giraffes.
5. Zheng He had little need to engage in hostilities, because people would do what he wanted because of the size of his army, but he would ruthlessly suppress pirates who long plagued Chinese and southeast Asian waters.
6. Mid 1430’s Ming emperors ended the expeditions because the costs would go to better use in agriculture. BUT in 1420’s the Mongols mounted new military, which threatened from the northwest.
7. 1433, after Zheng He’s seventh voyage, expeditions ended and they gave up any plans to maintain presence in the Indian Ocean.